58% of the World’s Gaming Machines Are in Japan
58% World’s Gaming Machines Made in Japan
Despite gambling being unlawful in Japan, the country boasts 4.3 million of the world’s 7.4 million licit gaming machines. The number diminishes Japan’s nearest competitor, the US, which has only installed approximately 0.9 million machines. Japan has been holding the top position since 2010. How is this possible?
The machines under consideration are called pachinko. Japan has more of these machines than all the slot machines you can count in the US. Interestingly, Japanese law doesn’t consider them as gambling machines. Instead, it dubs them ‘vertical pinball machines.’
The Pachinko Machine Debate
After dropping a coin in a lot, a ball freely moves from the top of the machine. It bounces from one pin to another downwards. If your ball hits certain spots at the bottom, it causes the release of more balls. The number of released balls is directly proportional to the value of the prize you will get. Only adults can play this game. Doesn’t this sound like gambling?
The Australian Gambling Technologies Association classifies pachinko machines among gambling terminals. Japanese law doesn’t consider the game as gambling since winners only get prizes and not cash. However, players often exchange these prizes with money at adjacent businesses. Therefore, there’s a fine line of distinction.
Although millions of Japanese people deposit large sums of money in pachinko machines, their law says games that do not pay out in cash aren’t gambling.
In the UK, however, a raging debate is ongoing concerning what gambling comprises. The machines in question are video game loot boxes. Although loot boxes do not pay out monetarily, millions of children can play and use their money to win ‘skins.’ These skins include the costumes, vehicles, weapons, and armour that the player uses to customize his/her video characters.
However, the operation of loot boxes is quite similar to that of online slot machines. Additionally, some children lose in the game and part with their pocket money. For this reason, rejectionists claim that this is much like underage gambling.
Casinos Finally in Japan?
Japan’s gambling regulations are loosening and the country is about to accept bids from worldwide casino businesses. Consequently, casino developers are rushing to get the first gaming licenses. Among those in the competition for the first international resort casino licenses are the Las Vegas-based Sands and MGM.
The latest developments promise to boost the casino tourism economy of Japan and bring great profits to casino developers. Before long, Japanese pachinko players will have a taste of slot and card table games.
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